TOKYO QUILT SHOW 2009
I went to the Tokyo International Quilt Festival last month at the Tokyo Dome. It was, again, wonderful. The quilts were abosultely fabulous and I wish I had some pictures. Silly me, I forgot my camera. I also missed the Americans. I went on the 17th of January and they did their thing starting the 19th. I had a wonderful time, anyway. The quilts were quite inspiring as were the little “pocket parks” of small quilted items. They were in forest or garden settings and all the ground cover, flowers and trees were done in fabric. The “grass” had such a wonderful texture – it was all small pieces of torn fabric (possibly glued) to large wooden boards that created a spectacular effect. I did some shopping at a few of the hundreds of booths set up around the exhibition. The picture above is my take on a pillow kit. I have yet to make the kit I bought. I really enjoyed studying the pattern, pulling out the fabric and hunting through my boxes of beads, sequins and buttons in an effort to make something interesting. I haven`t stuffed the pillow as I am taking this one and a few others I have in the works to the States next month as gifts for family and friends. I will get the stuffing – and a great many other things – when I am there shopping in some of my favorite places – JoAnns, Michaels, A.C. Moore.
I am really excited about going to visit the folks “back home.” My sisters live in different cities in Pennsylvania and both have promised me that their JoAnn`s have moved to bigger digs and have also promised I will be impressed. Living in Japan with such a dearth of interesting novelty fabrics, I know that is true. A lot of the fabric here is geared toward children`s things. Of course, I love the kimono fabric, both new and old, but the newer fabrics can cost as much as few months rent on a one room apartment in Tokyo. And, with new kimono fabric, you must buy the whole bolt. Also, living in the countryside means that there are fewer places to shop for fabric and notions. I usually have to go to the next big city, Takasaki, and their selections are not that big. I was really impressed with the booths at the quilt festival and found out that they come from all over Japan – and other countries as well – to display and sell their goods. I met a few Americans – New York Staters – who said they have had booths since the quilt festival started. Well, this was my second year to attend and I am looking forward to attending every year. It well worth the trip.
Add comment February 25, 2009
lovetosew
Tags: kimono fabric, quilt show
Doggie Fashion
- madi`s stuff
Wow, blog, it has been forever. I really have been working on stuff but second semester work has been exhausting , to say the least. Here are a few pictures of some “doggie blankets” I am making for my sister`s new maltese doggie Madii. They adopted her from someone who saved her from being mistreated. The person who saved her couldn`t keep her so my sister and her husband took her into their home. Madii is orginally from Florida and although she is about 4 years old, she got her first taste of Northeastern PA snow this year. They dress her to the nines and she apparently loves it.
1 comment January 3, 2009
lovetosew
Tags: doggie kimono, lois ericson, vests
ISSEY MIYAKE #1328 TOP
Well, I finally finished it. My Issey Miyake Vogue Pattern #1328. Just the top, there is also a jacket, and a pair of pants but those will have to wait. It took me two afternoons, as I had to read the instructions and sleep on it. The way Issey Miyake puts things together looks simple and his clothes have interesting details but they are not standard fare. This was not my first Issey project but the first in many many years. I think it might have been 16 years ago I made a skirt and a top. I can no longer locate that skirt nor the top (and by the way they would no longer fit) and I remember them being a challenge but worth it. Receiving compliments on things I have made makes me feel great. I remember one time shopping at Lord and Taylor in New York City with my mom. I was wearing a Perry Ellis skirt and top that I had made and received compliments from customers and sales clerks. My mom was surprised. I always wanted to make the garments in the same fabric the designers used but soon realized that the fabric could not be found and/or the price was way beyond my meager pocketbook. I used to think I settled but now I can see that I only added my own style to the pieces. That was, and still is, just fine. Rooting though my boxes of patterns, I have just found another Issey pattern (Vogue 2128) and already have some wonderful brown very lightweight wool jersey that will be perfect for a jacket. Time to get the instructions out, read and put on my thinking cap.
I must say, even though it has been raining constantly for days here in Maebashi, the weather is cool enough to spend hours in my studio without dropping gobs of sweat on my projects. Yep, I believe the summer is just about over and that although we may still be in for some hot days, the nights and mornings are cool.
7 comments August 27, 2008
lovetosew
Tags: Issey Miyake #1328, Perry Ellis
hot hot summer
Well, I am finally back in my studio but it is hot. We have had some wicked weather here in Maebashi. The storms are quite frightening and we unplug everything but the fridge. We have lost our phones three times and a computer once so we are as careful as we can be. Just this morning thunder woke me at 4:30 a.m. It`s gone for now. I say “for now.”
Sewing in this heat is a challenge but have completed two coffee mats and an Air Force runner. Still trying to make something for myself. It seems easier to make things for other people. My sisters sent me another big envelope full of wonderful fat quarters and I can`t wait to get started on some lovely fall things. I think, though, I may move onto some applique for a change. I like small projects in this kind of weather as just the thought of making a long-sleeved top or long pants gives me the “vapors.”
I also received some gorgeous fabric from friends, Marissa and her husband David. They spend their vacations in Thailand and have given me some beautiful ikat they aquired on their travels. It is a nice heavy cloth perfectly suitable for a vest, perhaps?
As I get myself ready to do errands early, I am already planning to get down to my studio in the garden for at least the first half of the afternoon, the weatherforecaster promises the the temperature will not rise above 28 degrees celsius – I haven`t really gotten used to celsius but I do know that anything over 29 is HOT!!! And I prefer 20 degrees during the day and 15 degrees during the night.
1 comment August 5, 2008
lovetosew
Tags: applique, hot summer, ikat
Fabric Shopping
I just got a big ole bag of some wonderful fabrics from my sister Suzi. She had a JoAnns coupon and during one of our rare really long-distance phone calls, asked me what I wanted. Nothing like ordering over the phone – at least I didn`t have to pay for shipping. Thank you Suzi. She sent quite a few medleys, the most predominant of which are browns. Perfect for some table toppers in a coffee motif. She also sent some great Mardi Gras fabrics, happy birthday, fruits and veggies and some United States Air Force print. That`s to make some table toppers for when her son, Alan, comes home to visit. He is in the Air Force stationed in Hawaii. She also wanted “Wine Night” themed placemats. She and her husband and his family have wine nights on Fridays and even travel to a number of vineyards in the northeast to try all different kinds of wines. I am happy to oblige. I actually started on the Wine Night – I have two of the patchwork tops plus one Air Force done and one just about finished. Can`t wait to get back downstairs to my studio again tomorrow. I will also make some for my other sissie, Jessie, but not too soon. Their house is still pretty torn up due to the re-modelling. Just finished some more Mexican themed – one for my mom and the other for my friend, Deborah. Deborah translates books (from Japanese to English) and always gives me a copy – signed. If you want to see what she`s up to click on the minamimuki address to the right. Actually, the pillow cover above was made for her. She likes the idea of cats, I think, but would never have one in the house.
3 comments June 8, 2008
lovetosew
Tags: fabric medleys, fabric shopping
TABLE RUNNERS AND SISTERS
Have been keeping myself busy (when I am not teaching) making table runners for my sisters. It is amazing what can happen with bits and pieces of fabric I pick up here and there. For example, this table runner is for my sister Susan`s parties. She and her husband along with his brothers and sisters can always find an excuse for a party. She recently had a Cinqo de Mayo party – so the Mexican food theme. I also know she occassionally makes Mexican food. I also made a Halloween table center – actually I made one of each for my sisters, Susan and Jessica. Poor Jessica, she and her husband Steve are remodeling their downstairs and apparently they will be using their Mexican table runner on their picnic table as they are grilling and eating outdoors – no kitchen for the time being. You know how it is, all the sissys have to be even!! Living in Japan, it is hard to find holiday fabric and when I do they are not quite fat quarters, as they are known in the States. Also, it is difficult to find a variety in any one store. I end up buying a myriad of pieces here and there. When I feel there is enough variety and continuity, it is then I try to figure out how to put them together. That is one of the things I like best, although it is not always successful. The border on this table runner is green with yellow splotches and it reminded me of a marguerita. For the Halloween table center I used some cute pumpkin fabric along with some shocking green and black checks – this shocking green reminded me of a Frankenstein-type monster. There was also some black fabric with white stars and orange fabric with black stars. 
For most, it captures the Halloween feeling. I hope so. Maybe I should start on some Thanksgiving and Christmas table centers or table runners. At least Christmas fabric is not difficult to find here. One of the things that frustrates me the most, though, is the stores are quite small and the project of the moment is about the only thing you can find fabric and notions for. For example, school starts here in April and moms all over Japan are busy making lesson bags, bags for gym clothes, bags for shoes, bags for lunch boxes, bags for the swim gear, bags for so many things. In the fabric stores, almost all the fabric and notions have cute characters or action heros, not much for someone who wants to make other things. So, I rely on bargin bins with left-over scraps that are slightly out of season. I have been extremely lucky to find some beautiful Laurel Birch fabric “quarters.” Not enough to make a garment out of one piece of cloth but enough to make my mom a sort of patchwork bathrobe she takes when she travels. Each piece of the pattern is a different cat motif with some shocking pink and shocking green pockets that all fit together very well. I don`t have a picture of it as I made it quite a few years ago. Mom, can you send a pic?
3 comments May 21, 2008
lovetosew
Tags: finding seasonal fabric in Japan, table centers, table runners
CHOOSING PATTERNS/FASHION SHOWS
Talked to my mom about when I first chose a pattern. She told me that we did that for the sewing classes I did when I was in high school. We had to choose the pattern and the fabric at the department store where the classes were held. After the sessions had ended, she said that there was a fashion show by all the participants. I really don`t remember it. She said she remembers that they had a little stage set up on the second floor – where the fabric department was – and that she thinks we also had to walk through the store wearing what we had made. Funny how we remember some things so vividly and others not at all.
I do remember a fashion show I did with my best friend at the time, Maggie Mitchell, when we were getting ready to go to the junior prom. Her mom had an at home fabric business, special order only, and told us she would make any prom dress we wanted as long as we choose fabrics from that line and be in a fashion show. Wow. Choosing the fabric we wanted – price no object - AND be in a fashion show. I suppose that was my real first attempt at designing. I remember the gown clearly. I choose a white crepe and over it was chiffony red, white and sheer plaid and a black velvet belt. It had a scoop neck - it felt quite revealing for the time – and I wore a black velvet ribbon with a cameo around my neck. I truly felt glamorous. Fortunately, we were both asked to the prom. My mom says she has a picture of that me wearing that gown. We lost most of our pictures in the Hurricane Agnes flood of `72.
I can`t say that I have ever had any real modeling ideas in my life. There was one other time I did some modeling and it was here in Japan. Actually it wasn`t modeling but a kimono contest. There are many schools of kimono “wearing” – as they call it here – and this particular school puts on a contest somewhere in Japan every year and also invites people from other countries living in Japan to take classes and take part in the contest. It was not one of my better ideas but I did it. I even invited my friend, Deborah, and her family – it`s been years Deborah, please forgive me - who sat with my husband and son in the audience. The idea was to put the entire kimono on in 4 minutes. My teacher wanted me to wear the kimono with long sleeves – “furisode” for unmarried women - but I insisted that since I was married and had a child that was not an appropriate choice. She informed me that I would probably not win, which was okay by me. I did get a trophy for 4th place along with the rest of the contestants. Anyway, I had a kimono made for myself complete with the family crest on the back and wore it for a few New Year`s celebrations and for my son`s 5-year-old year ceremony that they do here in Japan. That kimono is safely put away, probably forever. I had thought I would wear it to my son`s elementary school graduation, and then I thought I would wear it for the junior high school entrance ceremony but I mostly just thought about it. A kimono is the most uncomfortable garment I have ever worn, though truly beautiful. My mother-in-law wears kimono about 5 days a week. That`s not for me.
When I attended fashion school here we only had to display our work. I think I might be through with modeling but definitely not with sewing and what little designing extras I do to my existing patterns.
The picture above is a pillow – a kitty for people who like cats but can`t or won`t have the real thing in the house. I made this for my friend, Kyoko-san.
4 comments April 17, 2008
lovetosew
Tags: fashion show, kimono, sewing school
SEASONAL TABLE RUNNERS AND MOM
Here is an Easter-themed table runner I made for my mom. Since she lives about a bazillion miles away on the other side of the planet, I had to finish and mail it quickly so that she would have a few days to use it before and on Easter Sunday. Anyway, in the picture you can see a sort of “dip” in the binding. I would like to think that the way it is draped on the back of the sofa has made it look a little dippy. Possibly the camera angle is to blame. No, neither is to blame. I didn`t carefully mark and baste – in the previous entry I talked about how important both are to a beautifully finished piece of work. Now, possibly, you can see that it is true. Of course, my mom says she has no idea what I am talking about – but – she`s my mom.
Actually, she is the reason I sew. When I was in junior high we had what was then called “Home Economics,” I only remember sewing, although we must have had cooking as well. I made a dress in class and when I brought it home she said, “It`s beautiful, make another one.” And so I did, and another and another, each with a slightly different detail – remembering one blue and white print with a bit of lace in the middle; another, a pale yellow print with three buttons, each picking up a color in the print. I really cannot recall when we first went looking for other patterns at the fabric store but I gradually moved away from that awful first pattern. I have always loved designer clothes and in high school was thrilled making KENZO, Willi Smith and Christian Dior clothes from Vogue and McCalls patterns. My mom even sent me to sewing classes at a local department store when I was in high school. I have rarely been without a sewing machine in my life. I sewed and sewed on my mom`s Brother machine (guaranteed for 25 years, a long time I thought, back then). I still use a Brother but I also have a Jaguar and a Juki, a three-thread lock machine. Also, I still use designer patterns but now freely add or subtract from the patterns for a more personalized look. By the way, my mom can`t sew but she does crochet. I once asked her to teach me, I told her it looked easy – “one two, stick it through,” – but it`s not and all I can do is a granny square but cannot join them in a way that looks nice. I have quite a few very large granny sqaures that are not finished – maybe someday. For now, I am working on some seasonal table runners for my two sisters. The holiday is far enough away that I won`t have to rush.
2 comments March 30, 2008
lovetosew
Tags: designer patterns, sewing machines, table runner
JAPANESE SUMMER WEAR – JIMBEI
A number of years ago, I made this jinbei or traditional Japanese summer menswear for my husband, Yutaka, seen modeling in the picture above. He had not worn it for a few years and we had trouble finding the jacket, put away in the closet somewhere. I learned many fine sewing points while making this. First of all, the jacket is not completely traditional. The picture appeared in a magazine for men who wanted cool and light clothes for summer but don`t want to look like old men. There is nothing tailored about it at all, yet it took a lot of time and effort. There is a sort of patchwork (or to be more precise – insets) feel to the jacket and instead of the traditional string ties, it has a double-breasted look with buttons placed low on the side. The most important thing I learned was about marking and basting. These two time-consuming yet simple steps are the difference between a garment that looks homemade and something that looks professional and well made. I have to admit I don`t always do them. Sometimes I just need to put something together to keep my hands and mind busy. The difference is plain for me to see. Carefully marking the pattern to the cloth and then basting the pieces together before sewing keeps the seams flat and crisp. If you press as you go, there is no trouble when it is time to put in the sleeves on a jacket, a zipper in a dress or a pair of pants, pockets and waistbands. These are all the things that patterns, books and teachers tell us, but to actually see and feel how well a garment is put together can make one a better shopper as well. Whether you shop in a discount store, department store, outlet or flea market, odds are if you are a careful seamstress/dressmaker you can immediately tell if a piece of clothing is well made or not. Sometimes, if a fad comes along and you want to join in, you can choose to spend money on something that is well constructed for a higher price, or, maybe you think that fad won`t last but the clothing you just bought will get you through until the end of the fad, for a much lower price. It is up to you but you can make an informed choice. By taking your time and paying attention to details you can end up with something you can be proud of, like I am of this jinbei I made when I attended fashion school here in Japan.
6 comments March 10, 2008
lovetosew
Tags: fine sewing, jinbei, marking and basting, summerwear for men
APPLIQUE
This is the time of year that lots of repairs have to be done. I don`t know why, but right before the change in seasons things start of sort of fall apart. Buttons must be resewn, seams must be mended, even sheets have to be repaired although I can`t understand how my son Junichiro managed to rip a long hole down the middle of his bed sheet and I am not sure the repair will hold. At least Costco is opening up soon, about an hour from here, and I will be able to buy good quality sheets and towels. Anyway, applique has been on my mind and apparently in my hands as well. Just today, I finished the applique part of a new pillow. It still has to have a zipper put in and sewn together. The one thing I enjoy about applique is choosing the color scheme. First, a pattern is selected and drawn onto paper. Then, I start thinking about who the item is for and that leads to the color scheme. I don`t really think about the person`s decor, much to the dismay of my two sissies (Jessica and Susan). They once sent me the fabric for some table centers I wanted to make as Christmas presents for them. I think about their personality and what colors I see for them. It doesn`t always match what they think of for themselves, but I think they enjoy the presents. Today`s color scheme was purple and pinks with a coffee theme. Just who will get it? It`s a secret until finished. The picture is of an appliqued tea cozy.
4 comments March 2, 2008
lovetosew
Tags: applique, table center, tea cozy
| Previous Posts |
